The Chief Magistrate has chastised police investigators for failing to get files ready, especially in cases where accused indicate they want to plead guilty at the High Court.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be reflected on us, not the High Court, when it gets up there,” said Chief Magistrate Ian Weekes. “If a man wants his matter dealt with, what happens to the lead investigator’s statement and the complainant?
“We can’t keep doing this every year. If we charge somebody, we got to get something so that we can move. We can’t keep getting in here every six months and they ain’t got no file for a three-year-old case.”
His comments came as an accused, who was before him in the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday, queried the status of his matter. (HLE)